Beautiful as it is, Marrakech is not a relaxing holiday. There's a relentless energy constantly pulsing through the Medina – be it from the eager sellers in the souks, the ferocious street performers in the square or the hypnotic call to prayer come sundown. The bustling atmosphere is heady and you certainly have to have your wits about you, but I absolutely adored being in the thick of it. Sure, you can spend hours relaxing in a resort outside the city (though I don't see much point in that – you could be anywhere) but if you come to Marrakech, you'll expect a busy atmosphere and personally, being in the throng of the local culture is my favourite way to experience somewhere new.
Though it's a popular touristic destination, you do see more locals than tourists in the city – something you don't always find in popular travel spots. You'll be in a plush riad hotel one minute yet two doors down there'll be a local butcher or a tiny room packed with locals all surrounding one small TV set. From grand mosques to fruit-selling shacks it's a real fusion of insular cultures and life.
Before visiting Morocco, people will be quick to tell you to watch out for the men, the aggressive sellers or the young kids that trick you into charging for directions. And whilst yes, this is true (though you'll have learned all your lessons before the end of the first day) it's not something to put you off visiting. What people rarely remember to tell you is that many locals are a pleasure to meet, so proud of their country, their handmade products or knowledge of their hundreds of spices. Charlotte and I are fortunate enough to be quite well traveled, so little of the heckling really bothered us as two girls traveling alone there. But, the few lessons I did learn I'll be sharing in the form of some do's and don'ts in my full city-guide post.
And of course, it's not 24/7 hustle and bustle. Come the end of the day, escaping into our riads was like slipping into a slice of paradise hidden away in the medina. One absolutely gorgeous place we stayed was Riad Johara, home to the most intricately beautiful architecture (as you can see) and owned by the most wonderful German lady called Astrid whom you may be lucky enough to meet should you stay here. And of course Aladdin and Armani – the most adorable resident cats.
During every trip I take, there's always small moments of magic, surreal seconds that remind me why I have such an insatiable hunger for travel and wonder at this gorgeous world we live in. Sat up on the rooftop at Riad Johara, drinking mint tea and basking in the dusty pink sun as it set behind the atlas mountains whilst the call to prayer echoed around us was one of those moments. And, when one as special as that comes around I let it soak into every pore like sunlight, as it get's etched into the stock of travel memories that I'll never forget.
Thanks, as always, for reading and before I sign off, I should probably welcome you to my newly designed site (and name!). Now that I'm finally happy with my new space (still a few tweaks needed here and there) I'll be sharing a lot more words and content on here, my mojo is well and truly back and creative veins are bursting – stay tuned.
Shop the post: Privacy Please blue stripe dress and
LPA Gia bag via Revolve, Missoma Roman pendant
and initial pendant, New Look matching tie top, tassel shorts
and embroidered mesh maxi.
Images shot at Riad Johard Marrakech
Beautiful as it is, Marrakech is not a relaxing holiday. There's a relentless energy constantly pulsing through the Medina – be it from the eager sellers in the souks, the ferocious street performers in the square or the hypnotic call to prayer come sundown. The bustling atmosphere is heady and you certainly have to have your wits about you, but I absolutely adored being in the thick of it. Sure, you can spend hours relaxing in a resort outside the city (though I don't see much point in that – you could be anywhere) but if you come to Marrakech, you'll expect a busy atmosphere and personally, being in the throng of the local culture is my favourite way to experience somewhere new.
Though it's a popular touristic destination, you do see more locals than tourists in the city – something you don't always find in popular travel spots. You'll be in a plush riad hotel one minute yet two doors down there'll be a local butcher or a tiny room packed with locals all surrounding one small TV set. From grand mosques to fruit-selling shacks it's a real fusion of insular cultures and life.
Before visiting Morocco, people will be quick to tell you to watch out for the men, the aggressive sellers or the young kids that trick you into charging for directions. And whilst yes, this is true (though you'll have learned all your lessons before the end of the first day) it's not something to put you off visiting. What people rarely remember to tell you is that many locals are a pleasure to meet, so proud of their country, their handmade products or knowledge of their hundreds of spices. Charlotte and I are fortunate enough to be quite well traveled, so little of the heckling really bothered us as two girls traveling alone there. But, the few lessons I did learn I'll be sharing in the form of some do's and don'ts in my full city-guide post.
And of course, it's not 24/7 hustle and bustle. Come the end of the day, escaping into our riads was like slipping into a slice of paradise hidden away in the medina. One absolutely gorgeous place we stayed was Riad Johara, home to the most intricately beautiful architecture (as you can see) and owned by the most wonderful German lady called Astrid whom you may be lucky enough to meet should you stay here. And of course Aladdin and Armani – the most adorable resident cats.
During every trip I take, there's always small moments of magic, surreal seconds that remind me why I have such an insatiable hunger for travel and wonder at this gorgeous world we live in. Sat up on the rooftop at Riad Johara, drinking mint tea and basking in the dusty pink sun as it set behind the atlas mountains whilst the call to prayer echoed around us was one of those moments. And, when one as special as that comes around I let it soak into every pore like sunlight, as it get's etched into the stock of travel memories that I'll never forget.
Thanks, as always, for reading and before I sign off, I should probably welcome you to my newly designed site (and name!). Now that I'm finally happy with my new space (still a few tweaks needed here and there) I'll be sharing a lot more words and content on here, my mojo is well and truly back and creative veins are bursting – stay tuned.
Shop the post: Privacy Please blue stripe dress and
LPA Gia bag via Revolve, Missoma Roman pendant
and initial pendant, New Look matching tie top, tassel shorts
and embroidered mesh maxi.
Images shot at Riad Johard Marrakech
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